Shame thrives off of secrecy. It grows and flourishes when we keep it hidden in the dark. It easily sneaks its way into our day-to-day lives when we ignore it. When we feel ashamed of our shame, it amplifies and gets heavier.

We cannot buy or prove or hustle or hate our way towards loving and nourishing ourselves. We cannot start from the outside in and expect to find what we're seeking. We cannot attain inner transformation from things outside of ourselves.

Setting boundaries is hard—especially for people-pleasers. We often learn that our worth is tied up in what we have to offer or give others. We might fear being alone, leading us to do whatever it takes to assure that people don't leave.

We are inundated with messages of positivity, productivity, and possibility, all of which are amazing and inspiring. What can be harmful, though, is when we forget that we are also complex, multilayered beings with a wide range of experiences, emotions, and feelings.